Holly plant named ‘RutHol4’

ABSTRACT

A new  Ilex  plant named ‘RutHol4’ is characterized by a combination of an attractive pyramidal growth habit, potential for use in containers or as a small hedge.

Genus and species: Ilex crenata x I. maximowicziana.

Variety denomination: The new Ilex crenata x I. maximowicziana claimedis of the cultivar denominated ‘RutHol4’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of aJapanese holly plant named ‘RutHol4’. Seed was collected from an unnamedF1 seedling (female) from the original cross of Ilex crenata ‘SkyPencil’ (unpatented female) x I. maximowicziana #10-8S (unpatented maleparent) plant.

The new ‘RutHol4’ variety is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor (in Watkinsville, Ga.). The objective of theIlex breeding program is to create new plant cultivars with novel formsof growth, good cold hardiness, and resistance to damage from spidermites, insects and diseases.

The new ‘RutHol4’ plant is thus a product of Ilex crenata x Ilexmaximowicziana F1 seedlings. The cross was made in 2010. The collectedseed was sown in fall of 2010 and 276 seedlings were taken to a researchnursery in Dearing, Ga. in spring of 2012. ‘RutHol4’, one of the plantsgrown from the collected seed, was selected for further evaluation insummer of 2014. ‘RutHol4’ has been evaluated for container productionsince 2012.

‘RutHol4’ has been evaluated through trials at a horticultural farm inWatkinsville, Ga. from 2016.

Asexual reproduction of the new ‘RutHol4’ variety was by vegetativeterminal cuttings in a controlled environment in Dearing, Ga. andWatkinsville, Ga. since 2014. Observations of the new variety have shownthat the unique features of this new ‘RutHol4’ are stable and havereproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘RutHol4’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature andlight intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following represents the distinguishing characteristics of the newIlex cultivar named ‘RutHol4’. In combination, these traits set‘RutHol4’ apart from all other existing varieties of Ilex known to theinventor.

-   -   1. ‘RutHol4’ exhibits an attractive, pyramidal growth habit    -   2. ‘RutHol4’ has excellent potential for containers or as a        small hedge    -   3. ‘RutHol4’ demonstrates a dark new growth    -   4. ‘RutHol4’ has a height:width ratio: approx. 1.4:1

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overallappearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar ‘RutHol4’.The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with thephotographic and printing technology utilized.

The photograph labeled FIG. 1 is a photograph of a three year old (threeyears from cutting) ‘RutHol4’ plant depicting the overall plant habit of‘RutHol4’.

The photograph labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of a portion ofthe foliage of ‘RutHol4’ of FIG. 1.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER VARIETIES

The new ‘RutHol4’ is a female plant, unlike ‘Ruthol1’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 23,905) which is a male plant. ‘RutHol4’ is a faster growing plantthan ‘Sky Pencil’. In one growing trial, four year old (from cutting)‘RutHol4’ plants growing in the ground averaged about 172 cm high, whilefive year old ‘Sky Pencil’ plants averaged about 117 cm high. The heightto width ratio of Ilex maximowicziana #10-8S (unpatented) is less thanthe height to with ratio of ‘RutHol4’. In comparison, an eight year oldplant of this #10-8S variety had a height to width ratio of 0.6. Also,the leaves of the ‘RutHol4’ plant are much larger than the leaves ofboth ‘Sky Pencil’ and Ilex maximowicziana #10-8S. The leaves of the newplant are typically from 3.0 cm to 4.0 cm long in comparison to leavesof these two other plants which are typically 2 cm to 3 cm long.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the Ilex cultivar named‘RutHol4’. Data was collected at a horticultural farm in Watkinsville,Ga. from three year old plants grown outdoors and planted in the ground.Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 6^(th) edition published in2015 by The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, England.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ x Ilex            maximowicziana (female).        -   Male parent.—Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ x Ilex maximowicziana            (male).-   Habit: Narrow, densely conical evergreen shrub.-   Size of plant: 10-gal. plant 3 years from cutting.    -   -   A. Height.—190 cm.        -   B. Width.—135 cm.-   Stem:    -   -   A. Color.—Yellow-Green 144A.        -   B. Length.—8-30 cm.        -   C. Diameter.—3 mm.        -   D. Texture/pubescence.—Slightly hispid.        -   E. Shape.—Round.        -   F. Odor (of bruised stem).—None.        -   G. Internode length.—0.5-2.5 cm.        -   H. Strength.—Medium.        -   I. Branches.—20-30 main branches with 20-100 lateral            branches per main branch.-   Leaf:    -   -   A. Type.—Simple.        -   B. Color (R.H.S.).—1. Upper leaf surface: Emerging leaves —            Greyed-Orange 165A. Mature leaves — Green 137A. 2. Lower            leaf surface: Emerging leaves — Yellow-Green 148A. Mature            leaves — Yellow-Green 146B.        -   C. Mature size (l×w): 3-4 cm×1-1.5 cm.        -   D. Apex.—Acuminate.        -   E. Base.—Cuneate.        -   F. Margin.—Serrulate.        -   G. Shape.—Elliptical.        -   H. Lobes (present/absent).—Absent.        -   I. Texture/pubescence.—Smooth, no pubescence (both            surfaces).        -   J. Arrangement on stem.—Alternate.        -   K. Venation.—Pinnate.        -   L. Texture.—Leathery.        -   M. Aspect.—45-60°.        -   N. Leaves per lateral branch.—20-50.        -   O. Odor when crushed.—None.-   Petiole:    -   -   A. Length.—5 mm.        -   B. Shape.—Reniform.        -   C. Color (R.H.S.).—Yellow-Green 144A.        -   D. Texture/pubescence.—Moderately hispid.        -   E. Diameter.—1 mm.        -   F. Strength.—Weak.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   A. Type.—Solitary in clusters of 1 to 3; female.        -   B. Longevity.—Late April to mid-May in Athens, Ga.        -   C. Number per plant.—10,000-20,000.-   Flower:    -   -   A. Number per inflorescence.—1 — female.        -   B. Axillary or terminal.—Axillary.        -   C. Symmetry.—Regular.        -   D. Height and diameter (l×w).—3 mm×4 mm.        -   E. Fragrance.—None.        -   F. Bud.—1. Size (L×W): 3 mm×2 mm. 2. Shape: Oval. 3. Color            (R.H.S.): Yellow-Green 145C. 4. Texture/Pubescence: Smooth,            no pubescence.        -   G. Blooms.—Longevity 3-5 days.        -   H. Petals.—1. Number: 4. 2. Size (L×W): 3 mm×2 mm. 3. Shape:            Oval. 4. Apex: Round. 5. Base: Truncate. 6. Margin: Smooth,            entire. 7. Color at Peak of Bloom (R.H.S.): Green-White 157A            with Green-White 157D along margins and at base. 8.            Texture/Pubescence: Smooth, no pubescence. 9. Arrangement:            Symmetrical.        -   I. Pedicels.—1. Color (R.H.S.): Yellow-Green 144A. 2.            Texture/Pubescence: Mostly smooth with an occasional            hair. 3. Length: 4 mm. 4. Aspect: Erect. 5. Strength: Weak.        -   J. Sepals.—1. Number: 4. 2. Size (L×W): 1 mm×2 mm. 3. Shape:            Cuspidate. 4. Texture/Pubescence: Smooth, no hairs. 5. Color            (R.H.S.): Yellow Green 144A. 6. Apex: Round. 7. Base:            Truncate. 8. Margin: Sinuate.        -   K. Pistils.—1. Number: 1. 2. Stigma: a) Shape: Hastate. b)            Color (R.H.S.): Yellow 4C with White 155A along margins. c)            Texture/Pubescence: Smooth, no pubescence. 3. Style: a) Size            (L×W): 1 mm×0.5 mm. b) Color (R.H.S.): White 155A. c)            Texture/Pubescence: Smooth, no pubescence. 4. Ovary: a) Size            (L×W): 2 mm×2 mm. b) Color (R.H.S.): Yellow-Green 144A. c)            Texture/Pubescence: Smooth, no pubescence. d) Position:            Hypogynous.-   Fruits: None observed.-   Seeds: None observed.-   Pest and disease resistance: Resistant to spider mites (Tetranychus    urticae).-   Hardiness: Not fully determined. The plants have been grown in USDA    zone 8a. Parental species have survived −5° F. with no damage in    Blairsville, Ga.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Ilex plantnamed ‘RutHol4’ as illustrated and described herein.